THE AMERICANIST: US Politics and German Angst

Kamala Harris Might Really Win! (Why Trump is Losing in Polls)

Right before the 2024 US Elections, Mike has some good news for all Kamala Harris Democratic supporters: Some last-minute polling (source: "the internet") indicates that the Trump camp might be in trouble. Really? Can Harris really reverse her negative October trend? And can Joe Biden please not say anything anymore, at least publicly? This and more German-American banter and garbage - including swastikas - in the latest episode of THE AMERICANIST PODCAST.

The Americanist is a podcast about US politics and history in the Trump era. American democracy is under attack. A German historian/journalist and an American scholar try to make sense of it all. A transatlantic therapy session of sorts.

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Mentioned in the show:

Kamala Harris sees surge with Black male voters (Yahoo News)

Nazi rally in Madison Square Garden in 1939

Walt Whitman: A Song.

Raining Cats and Dogs on Trump's Parade: Kamala Harris Wins Debate

On the day after the Harris-Trump debate, Mike and Johannes talk about how Kamala Harris set up a trap for the Republican candidate Donald Trump - and how he happily stepped into it. Will Harris' resounding victory in their possibly only presidential debate translate into November's election? The podcast's statistical powerhouse Mike disects the latest polling numbers as well as Kamala Harris' upside with Democratic voters. Also, there are way too many cats references, but, ah well, meow.

Mentioned in the show:

https://www.nytimes.com/news-event/times-siena-poll-coverage

 

Walz #2 - Does Coach Tim Walz Strike the Right Chord for Democrats?

Kamala Harris' running mate Tim "Coach" Walz has introduced himself to the Democratic party at their Chicago convention. But can he energize them enough so they can beat Trump and the Republicans in November? Mike shares his thoughts on the importance of having a good coach in American life, high school and beyond - and Johannes remembers his time on a Californian shooting range. Anything but a peaceful retreat: this week's episode of The Americanist Podcast.

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Can Kamala Harris Beat Donald Trump?

After a two-year hiatus, The Americanist crew is back. Just in time so that Johannes and Mike can discuss Kamala Harris' nomination as a presidential candidate 2024 and Joe Biden's resignation from the campaign. Too little too late? Or can the Democratic party save its chances and prevent another Trump term? And what ever happened to JD Vance? While Mike is still reluctant to stare down his demons, Johannes has watched some FOX & Friends to gently slap his liberal friend awake.

Mentioned in the show

- German judo coach slaps athlete: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C13gm-hhCZA

- Walt Whitman, Song of Myself, 43 https://poets.org/poem/song-myself-43

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Why are Urban and Rural America so Divided? (#23)

Since the United States were founded, its urban population has risen from 5 % to over 80 %. Yet its political institutions remain the same. Mike and Johannes discuss this issue, the American obsession with suburbia, and how to possibly move forward. Also, what would actually happen if you took 5 % of Californians and move them to Wyoming?

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Mentioned in the show:

Urban vs rural populations (1790-2010)

William Penn and Philadelphia's City Grid

"Saints & Strangers" (Netflix)

How I Met Muhammad Ali (#22)

Muhammad Ali would have turned 80 this week. What does he mean for us today? Mike talks about how Ali came up several times in his American history class, how impressed he is by his reinvention of identity, while struggling with his narcissistic side. Johannes shares the story how he met Ali in person, when he came to Germany to pull off his famous magic yet again...

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Mentioned in the show:

„I am Ali“ Documentary
https://www.amazon.de/I-Am-Ali-Muhammad/dp/B00O9HY402

Billy Crystal Eulogy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XB3sD9QJCI

„Facing Ali“ Documentary
https://www.amazon.com/Facing-Ali-George-Chuvalo/dp/B002Z8CW60

„Ein Held, wie aus der Tragödie“ (German interview)
https://www.arte-magazin.de/ein-held-wie-aus-der-tragoedie/

#21 Hopes & Highlights - End of Year Pod 2021

Mike and Johannes look back on their highlights from 2021 and share their thoughts and outlook on what they are planning for and hoping to achieve in 2022. Thanks for listening to THE AMERICANIST in the past twelve months. Happy holidays everyone!

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#20 The Good News Special

As we've talked plenty EU/US crisis in past episodes, the October episode of THE AMERICANIST PODCAST is all about good news! From COVID-19 booster vaccination shots to more regional supply chains and the upcoming German coalition government.

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Further Reads:

mRNA technology being used in other applications:

https://www.nature.com/articles/nrd4278

 

Better supply networks:

https://hbr.org/2020/09/global-supply-chains-in-a-post-pandemic-world

 

The change in worker relations to jobs

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/19/business/economy/economy-workers-labor-force.html

#19 9/11 - Where We Were, Where We Are

20 years after the terrorist attacks in New York City on September 11, 2001, Mike and Johannes remember their personal 9/11 stories, where they were and how this day has changed life in the United States and in Europe.

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#18 Joe Biden’s First 130+ Days in Office

In the latest episode of THE AMERICANIST Podcast, Mike updates Johannes on the first 130+ days (yeah, we missed the other one) of Joe Biden's presidency: What has been achieved, what is missing, and can America possibly heal and how? All on how Number 46 is doing ... and the usual nonsense in between ... in episode #18.

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